Merrill Lynch commissioned the consultancy to assess the Old Post Office site between Guiltspur Street and King Edward Street. It involved three scheduled ancient monuments, one grade I listed building, two grade II* listed buildings, two grade II listed buildings and three conservation areas. The consultancy then assessed the work of architects Swanke Hayden Connell in developing a design for the bank’s European HQ which maximised the site’s development potential. Advice was given throughout the design process to ensure that certain buildings were retained and the settings of monuments, listed buildings and conservation areas were enhanced. Public benefit was achieved by re-establishing the historic line of King Edward Street, thereby improving the setting of St Paul’s Cathedral and restoring the plan form of the ruined Christchurch nave. The resulting building has won many awards and is often cited by English Heritage as an exemplar in providing large premises in historic areas.